By the River - Elephants

There are so many things about elephants that are special that many books have been written on the topic. Their large size, extraordinary ears and versatile trunk are unique in the animal kingdom. But it is possibly their brains that are the most significant. The saying goes that "elephants never forget" and there are many, many stories of elephants remembering and recognizing people after numbers of years.

Their social structures and family relationships are probably as deep as those of humans. The older females, considered to be the wisest, are the individuals that rule the herd. They raise and teach and protect their young with what can only be called loving care.

This is the feeling I wanted to show in this painting. The visual elements are interconnected to illustrate the close cohesion of the herd. There is an elegant ponderousness to their movements. Their slow swaying is like the low rhythms of cello and bass in a symphony orchestra. Although I saw this actual grouping in brilliant flat light at high noon, I chose to change the light and colour to a rich and subdued hue in keeping with the quiet comfort of the domestic life of the herd.